Girl vs. Food: Aloha Palm Trees, Ocean Breeze and Local Foods …

Recently, I decided to cram my life into four suitcases (that all weigh less than 50 pounds) and fly to the island of Maui. I wanted a little change, like lying on the beach and eating pineapple all day. OK, this is a slight exaggeration. I had been writing from our hometown; pulling all sorts of tricks from my sleeve on how to maintain a holistically healthy lifestyle. I had even gone so far as to point you in the right direction when it comes to finding the best local foods, or other products that you need to stay in tip-top shape. Don’t worry, I have not abandoned you. I will continue to write to you from paradise (I had to rub it in a little) and pass on the valuable information I learn from this land.

Upon arriving, I noticed how expensive everything is. Gas is about $4.70 a gallon, a watermelon is about $6.00 and a loaf of bread I about $17.00. Just kidding, but you get the picture. If you think about the fact that some of these products have to be shipped to the most secluded chain of islands in the world, it starts to make sense. Even the imported produce, despite the fact that the land is so very fruitful, no pun intended, (most of the supermarkets don’t carry local produce), so I was quick to learn how to get it for little dinero.

Farmers Markets start to blend in with the scenery once you have been here for a few days. They are everywhere, because there is a plethora of local farming. Maui is really blessed with having different areas on the island that are able to sustain all kinds of crops. A person living, or vacationing, on Maui can feel content as they add up the dollars — and days, weeks and/or years of their lives they have saved by shopping at these. Remember local produce is always safer than crops that are mass produced. The local stuff will be packed with nutrients, virtually free of harmful substances. By indulging in the alternative, you may actually ingest more chemicals that vitamins and minerals.

Thanks to my natural charm, I have become good friends with my neighbor (okay, so my neighbor is actually my new manager, but my charm would have won her over otherwise), and I am so lucky for this. In between every house on our block, there is some kind of food-producing plant. There is (ahem) a mango, papaya, pineapple, lemon, lime and avocado tree that are available to me whenever the fruit is ripe. My neighbors may water these trees, but other than that, they just let nature handle the rest. This food is free of charge and free of anything nasty, harmful or dangerous.

My landlord informed me that in a couple of weeks, I can start to garden in the backyard. Score. Kale costs about $3.30 a bunch here (compared to $1.99ish in the 419), so I will most certainly be growing this delicacy. Last summer, my mom grew this in her Toledo garden, and from early summer to late fall, I never had to buy kale. I make a juice every day that calls for five to six stalks of kale, so you understand this little backyard garden was rockin’!

Dear Toledo friends, as spring quickly approaches I invite you to take advantage of these same scenarios. Soon you will be faced with the question of running to the supermarket down the road, or making a weekly trip (and saving lots of money and supporting local farming) to the farmers market. You will consider the possibility of a garden full of delicious, convenient fruits and vegetables, but may pass on the opportunity as you think it may be too much work. It is work, but about as much as it takes to maintain your car, and eventually, it all pays off (literally).

Think of me (yes, strolling on the beach, fresh papaya in hand …) and my new lifestyle. Remember how convenient, but completely unaffordable it is for me to walk a block to the local supermarket chain. I must be disciplined enough to make a weekly farmers market list, and put in the extra effort to grow a few of my own foods. Then, remember how good this is for your pocketbook, global footprint, and your most valuable asset –- you! So, sing it with me: Walk like an Egyp… err, Hawaiian.

Girl vs. Food: Coconut Craze

There have been more than a few days in which I could have been mistaken for a lizard, considering my skin had begun to resemble the reptiles’ scales more than I would like to admit. I lather on lotion every day, but it hasn’t won the fistfight against the winter’s dry, cold temperature. I had heard through the grapevine (honey, honey, yeah …) that coconut oil (saturated fat made from dried coconut meat) could make my skin as soft as a baby’s bottom. I knew that I needed to get my hands on this product, immediately.

After my shower, I lathered it (actually, a small amount of this solid that becomes a liquid goes a long way) all over my thirsty skin.

My resemblance to an oiled-up body builder ready for photo shoot was painstakingly similar, but I knew my skin would slurp it up in no time. I was right. As a matter of fact, the jar of oil states that the product can be used for skin and hair. I love a new adventure, so I put a little in my hair as well. Ok, maybe a little too much, and my hair was slightly slick, but sure enough my hair follicles absorbed the moisture by the next morning. After just a week, give or take a few days, of this process my skin was noticeably less dry and my hair much softer.

This oil had already worked as a catalyst for a few miracles, so what else could it do? I am an avid runner, meaning my Asics don’t get a break if the temperature falls below zero. I can cover most of my body in warm, moisture-wicking clothing, but there are a few parts of my face that still feel the sting of the frigid air. Since the coconut oil had been working wonders on my dry skin, I decided to put a little on my face before my outdoor run.

It was as if my face had a protective shield, because it was never cold. I have to believe that the oil was not only protecting my precious skin from wind chill, but also from the sun’s harmful rays. As a matter of fact, I read that the oil is good for healing cuts and sunburns. Oh, it naturally assists in restoring the body’s collagen … Take that, wrinkles!

Speaking of hydration, if the oil can hydrate skin so well, can the juice or water, hydrate our bodies like our friend H2O? Check this out: Coconut water has the same osmotic pressure as blood (meaning it has the same electrolyte balance as our blood). For all of you athletes, coconut water can do the same for you as your favorite sports drink, but it has less sugar, less sodium and more potassium…Take that, PowerAde!

As one who aspires each and every day to be a 100% raw foodist, I cannot tell you how many recipes coconut oil, milk and meat are used. Listen closely. Even though coconut oil contains saturated fats, it actually helps our bodies metabolize cholesterol more quickly (resulting in lower cholesterol levels). The oil also stimulates the thyroid gland. In case you were curious, George, a properly functioning thyroid gland assists your body in maintaining a healthy weight, lowers your risk of cancer (rates of cancer have are lower, or nonexistent, in areas that rely on this saturated oil), and slows the aging process. The oil also contains Lauric Acid, which your body uses to fight off all different kinds of infections.

The meat from a coconut contains a high percentage of dietary fiber compared to other plant foods. In addition to the normal benefits of dietary fiber (regulating blood sugar, improving digestive function, preventing cancer and reducing the risk of heart disease), it also aids in mineral absorption and relieves symptoms associated with Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The milk from the coconut contains a long list of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, short-chain fatty acids (the body turns these into energy instead of storing them as fat), relieves sore throats, symptoms of ulcers and is, of course, dairy-free.

The coconut has been around for quite some time, for centuries it has been a dietary staple and a method for alternative healing…Unfortunate that the Western Culture has been missing out. In Sanskrit, the coconut tree is known as “Kalpavriksha”, or the tree which gives all that is necessary for living. I think they were onto something.

Girl vs. Food: Be aware of what and why you are eating

It was as if I were slapped across the face as I innocently browsed the alternative medicine and health section at my local book store. This proverbial slap left a hand print in the form of a sad message. People don’t know how how or what to eat and they search for the answer with hope that it will change their lives. A natural instinct, one that was instilled in us since the moment we set foot on this earth, has been lost. Our ability to simply eat has fallen victim to a society that has linked eating to losing weight, and losing weight to happiness. Every human being wants to be happy, so the linkage between the two was a genius marketing strategy, if you ask me.

The books that lined the shelves, and screamed for my attention, seemed to advertise one idea: You are not okay. If you follow the diet in this book, however, you can look a certain way and ultimately have the life you have always wanted (as easy as pie, just don’t eat it). What the books fail to mention is that several of us have limited resources and funds, and having the perfect body won’t magically solve all of your personal problems. Don’t get me wrong, setting a goal – like achieving and maintaining a healthy weight – will bring a renewed sense of self-confidence, which might give you the drive to attain other personal goals. Nonetheless, it is crucial to remember that physical health is only one slice of the pie (there is that pie again, rearing its ugly head in my diet-laden mind). In order to have real contentment you must be healthy physically, mentally and spiritually (whatever that may be for you).

Be careful when perusing health and/or food section in any book store. Ask yourself, what exactly are the authors selling? Whose best interest do they have in mind? Several of them are probably endorsed by different health food/product companies (insert “Money, Money, Money” song by Abba), so they get more dollars if you spend yours. Oh, and those people that grace the cover of Us Weekly achieve their air-brushed beach bods through countless hours in the gym and their very own (highly paid) chef. They are paid to look a certain way for a job (uh, acting), and usually, when this job is finished they stop the two hour gym sessions and carb free diets.

Returning to the issue at hand: What do we eat? The underlying message in all of my articles is always the same. Be aware of what and why you are eating. I have come up with a few pointers to aid you in your quest for knowledge and good health.

Choose local. Do this not only for the obvious reason (to support the local economy), but because local farmers don’t use the same pesticides used by commercial farmers. Another important fact, crops that are mass produced are often harvested too soon resulting in a significant loss in their nutritional value (for instance, broccoli has less iron). Cattle from local farms are often grain fed, so you aren’t ingesting any strange hormones or other questionable substances if you eat meat.

When grocery shopping, try to purchase foods that contain ingredients you are able to pronounce. Most of the crazy sounding items on the label are crazy enough that they don’t belong inside of your body. Also, the fewer ingredients in the food, the better because the food is closer to its natural, unprocessed state

Take up a physical activity that keeps you mindful. Yoga, of course, is great. You learn to be aware in the present moment, which is a discipline you will find useful in all you do, even eating. Your internal radar will become more active: Why do I really want so many comfort foods today?

So, keep the eyes of your mind wide open when you are faced with the latest body-sculpting products, the new diet food promising weight loss, and the best-seller advertising diet as a means to happiness. If you are about to make one of these purchases, ask yourself what it is (honestly) that you want to change? Will this product really do that for you? Confidence and security come from so much more than our exercise routines and the food we put into our mouths. As long as you maintain awareness as you make health a priority, you are doing quite well.

Girl vs. Food: The sweet stuff

Recently, I saw a very young girl filling her iced tea with packet upon packet of Sweet ‘n Low. It took every ounce of patience I have to prevent me from yelling out in sheer terror. I kid you not. Clearly, the girl’s mother was not aware of exactly what is in one of those flashy pink packets of goodness (or dare I say gruesomeness). This distressing incident got me thinking, just how many people are aware of what those sensational sugar replacements contain?

The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, while we only actually need six to nine. It only seems logical to replace the white, granulated stuff with a substitute. All of those replacements must be a better alternative, right? Splenda, Sweet ‘n Low and/or NutraSweet are all readily available at every coffee shop and grocery store, so they must be OK, right? Best of all, these alternatives to sugar are calorie-free, so you’re making a healthy choice, right? Wrong, wrong, wrong. Truth be told (and what a shocking truth it is), the regular, white grainy stuff is much better than the majority of the sugar posers out there. This is due to the fact that most of the alternatives contain a substance known as aspartame.

Aspartame is a non-saccharin sweetener that is used as an artificial sugar substitute. Sounds harmless enough. The most famous brand is NutraSweet, which I am sure we have all consumed at some point. It has been said that your body is not able to recognize this substance as a calorie, making it one of the most appealing diet-food additives around (diet soda, sugar-free goodies, etc.). Newsflash: Just because your body doesn’t register this mysterious matter as a calorie doesn’t mean it is harmless.

While I am not a scientist, I have done some research, and uncovered enough information to want to stop my use of aspartame altogether. Some people have consumed enough artificial substances from foods to start a small chemical laboratory, and feel safe because it is the latest diet trend. However, I am not going to walk around sucking down antifreeze if the diet industry has adds it to its new product line. If it is not recognized as a calorie, or a unit of energy, then what is it?

Specific research has directly linked aspartame consumption to cancer formation and growth. Scientists have observed a significant increase in lymphatic cancers and leukemia in people who consume aspartame regularly. The aspartame causes formaldehyde to bind to DNA which results in single- and double-strand DNA breakage. This damaged DNA is the perfect recipe for cancer. Once the cancer is present, the aspartic acid from the aspartame makes the cancer grow. Cancer cells actually become more mobile upon their introduction to aspartame. It sounds like aspartame is recognized, perhaps not as a calorie, but as a toxic substance that can most certainly harm you. This sly substance has also been linked to migraines, nausea, vision problems, abdominal pains, sleep problems and anxiety attacks. Whoa, Nelly. I’m nixing this nastiness.

Now that you are tossing the artificial sweeteners you have stashed in your drawers and cupboards (I hope), what can you use to replace them? Honestly, white granulated sugar is always a better alternative, and an even better alternative is known as Xylitol.

Xylitol is a sweetener that occurs naturally in berries and other fruits, and our bodies even produce it during the metabolic process. In its natural form (which can be purchased at health food Stores such as Claudia’s or Bassett’s) it is sweeter than sugar, and (gasp!) good for us. And, get this; it can actually prevent tooth decay. Our bodies most certainly recognize and welcome this long-lost friend.

I encourage you to form your own opinion on this topic. Our bodies are, by far, one of our most valuable possessions, and, like it or not, will be sticking with us (like snazzy little barnacles) for the rest of our lives. Don’t you want your one and only bod to be happy, healthy and functioning atits highest capacity? I do. I’m pretty sure we all do. So, step away from the Sweet ‘n Low.

Monica Mikolajczyk is a yoga instructor, firm believer in always choosing local, and a holistic health advocate who believes we all have the potential to grow and change if we simply allow ourselves the space to do so. E-mail her at star@toledofreepress.com.

Girl vs. Food: Welcome in the new year with fresh juices

We bid farewell to the year by toasting several cocktails with friends and eating enough food to feed a small country. Then, we remedy this problem by welcoming the new year with promises of healthier eating and perhaps trying your hand at one of those “cleanses.”

We have to do something to rid our body of the 200-plus frosted sugar cookies, truck loads of chocolate peppermint bark, holiday ham, and eggnog (before we look in the mirror and don’t recognize the Santa-shaped cut-out cookie with frosting and sprinkles that we have shamefully become).

What to do? Many of us have heard of the Master or Lemonade Cleanse (basically water with lemon, maple syrup and cayenne pepper), and maybe some of us have even given it a shot. I sure gave it a shot, and another and another. I lost a few pounds, but fought a mental battle at least five times a day so that I wouldn’t eat my own arm. There has to be a better, healthier way, to cleanse my body and give my digestive system a rest (it hates me after the sugar and alcohol diet I took up for a month). As always, this inspired me to research this latest “cleansing” fad.

First topic to figure out: Why cleanse? Think of a computer’s hard drive. The more cluttered it becomes the more slowly it operates. We download countless programs and games, surf the Web and save what we find, and occasionally end up with a virus. Sometimes, we have to have the hard drive wiped clean, or buy a new computer. Now, imagine the cells in your body are all little hard drives that operate this magnificent computer — which is you.

Our cells want to be clean, speedy, and healthy but unfortunately we consume too many empty calories (sugar) and a large amount of toxins (preservatives). Unfortunately, all of that holiday cheer gets lodged in our cells and slows everything down (and contributes to the winter blues). So, we must cleanse in order to rid our precious little cells of this toxic build-up and bring us back up to speed.

Now, what type of cleanse to embark upon (preferably one that doesn’t make us feel as though we are ready to, literally, bite our friends’ heads off)? Liquids are naturally easier on our digestive system, which is why during most cleanses you don’t eat solid foods. So, how to clean up my cells and maintain a liquid-based diet for a few days without feeling like I’m losing my mind? Drumroll, please … A juice cleanse! And no, I am not talking about drowning yourself in the sugary, syrupy orange juice from the closest grocery store chain. I mean delicious, fresh, natural juices made in the comfort our your very own home with your very own juicer.

Juices created from fresh produce (think local, a farmers market or Claudia’s on Secor Road) are full of all kinds of enzymes. Enzyme? An enzyme is a protein molecule that works in our body to increase the rate of different chemical reactions. For instance, enzymes speed up our digestion, give us energy, break down carbs and turn them into glucose, and proteins into amino acids. Trust me, they are important. However, the enzymes in several of the foods we eat have been killed through processes like pasteurization.

So, normal bodily functions move slowly, or worse, don’t happen at all. The juice combinations you create will taste delicious, give you energy and clean you out (even incorporating one juice into your daily routine will work wonders). Your cells are holding all of this excess waste, and the juices with their miracle-working enzymes will flush all of this waste away (waste = toxins, weight, bacteria that cause illness, etc.).

It is true, you can cleanse and heal your body (and even shed a few of those holiday pounds) simply and naturally. A juicer that will do the trick can be found almost anywhere. Brevilles and Champion juicers are said to be top of the line, but I personally have an Oster that is a real champion (ha). Venture into any book store and you will see several informative books on juicing and juice cleanses that are designed for the novice juicer to the professional one.

So, raise up your glass (of juice) and toast to the new year, the new (healthier and informed) you, and the soon-to-be-new, clean cells that will be zipping around in your happy body.

Monica Mikolajczyk is a yoga instructor, firm believer in always choosing local, and a holistic health advocate who believes we all have the potential to grow and change if we simply allow ourselves the space to do so. E-mail her at star@toledofreepress.com.

The Good, the Bad and the Soy Products

The decision was made to embark on the vegetarian lifestyle. Perhaps the choice was made to reduce your global footprint (kudos to you, by the way), because you had been reading about animal cruelty (those slaughterhouses are worse than puppy mills!) or you have been spending too much time with me and my preaching about veganism has finally rubbed off on you. Whatever the reason, you are in a food frenzy as you attempt to find a product to replace your dairy and meat. Suddenly, like a beacon in the night the word “soy” comes to mind. It is the healthy alternative to meat and dairy, right? All of that tofu in the organic section at your local grocer must mean something positive.

I admit, when I began to transition away from meat I was consuming Tofurky and soy lattes almost on a daily basis. What I couldn’t understand was why I didn’t feel lighter and more energized, as the vegetarian lifestyle had promised. Almost every vegetarian that I encountered was beginning their day with a bowl of granola with some tasty vanilla soymilk (this stuff is a million times better than skim milk, ha!). However, most of these people weren’t bursting with energy, still suffered from many ailments that a healthier lifestyle should diminish. I decided it was time to embark on a little research journey.

I was knee-deep in information about raw and vegan lifestyles, when I stumbled upon enlightening information. Soy seemed to be a sad excuse for an alternative to anything. While soy is derived from soybeans, a natural product of Mother Earth, it wasn’t eaten until fermentation techniques were discovered. Fermentation (which actually creates probiotics, or good bacteria, needed for your body) was necessary to make soy digestible and have nutritional value. Let me break it down for you.

Tofu and soymilk are all created from unfermented soy products. This means the vegetable protein is processed using extremely high temperatures and acid and alkaline chemicals. Unfermented soy products contain certain antinutrients that block enzymes (trypsin) that are necessary for proper protein digestion. Meaning, eat this soy and your bowels will most certainly be irritated. You can almost count on being the newest member to the I (irritable) B (bowel) S (syndrome) club (congrats). Unfermented soy also contains phytic acid which blocks the absorption of essential minerals, particularly calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc. Over time, this can lead to some serious vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These products also contain hemagglutinin, which causes red blood cells to clump together. The phytic acid and hemagglutinin together create a killer growth depressant tag-team (slaughtering any normal growth inhibitors in their path). Soy products also contain isoflavones that suppress thyroid function (think: slow metabolism, weight gain and lack of energy).

The list seemed to continue: soy is linked to reproductive disorders, allergies, asthma, acne, dermatitis, cognitive decline — To name a few. I was disheartened and a little frightened since I had been overloading my poor digestive system with soy-a-licious everything! I was immediately set into panic mode as I thought of myself standing in line at the local coffee joint ordering a double grande chai tea latte … with SOY. When I read that the negative effects that soy had on my body would stop (and some of the toxic build-up it had caused would be eliminated) if I made the choice to end my relationship with this product (in its unfermented state), I was able to breathe again. I could still enjoy tempeh, miso and soy sauce, as these are all fermented (remember: fermented, fabulous and unfermented, unfavorable).

Remember, as you bid adieu to unfermented soy products as a dietary staple, you are also saying goodbye to any negative effects this product could have on your body. Letting go of any habit, or making a lifestyle change, is a difficult task, to say the least. So, don’t beat yourself up if you do occasionally (key word) order that grande vanilla latte, with soy. Moderation and balance are both key to creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Meanwhile, if you are nixing the tofu and want to warm up on one of these chilly winter nights, try some vegetarian chili from the Attic on Adams. They use tempeh in their recipe, which is both delicious and good for you. And if you are searching for an alternative to the soymilk in your morning bowl of cereal, try some tasty almond milk. This can easily be found at Claudia’s Natural Food Market or Bassett’s (both local health food stores). So, for now, so long soy lattes, ta-ta tofu, adios antinutritents, peace-out phytic acid and hello health.

Girl vs. food: Cage-free for the holidays

One afternoon, while walking into the locally owned Vermont Créperie in which I worked, something caught my eye. Being a born-and-raised suburban Ohio girl, this was quite the unusual sight and I do believe I stopped to stare. A farmer was delivering pork, straight from his own farm about 30 miles away, to the front door of our restaurant. I was in awe.

At the time, I think I was more enthralled by the fact that the farmer had such a close business relationship with the owner of my place of employment. It wasn’t until I ventured back to the Ohio flatlands that I realized just how significant this delivery/business relationship was — to my health.

I had completely taken for granted the fact that the majority of the produce, meat and dairy that I purchased in Vermont (lucky for me, there was an amazing co-op a block from my apartment) came straight from locally owned, organic farms. This meant that I was getting fresh food, with no preservatives, and the meat that I was consuming (since I have been back in Ohio I have resorted to a vegetarian lifestyle — simply because I don’t see a farmer dropping off his free-range cattle meat to the local T.G.I. Friday’s, to say the least) was hormone free. Oh, those sneaky hormones, maneuvering their way into our food. As if we don’t have enough of our own already.

So, what do we do?

There are several meats that advertise “free-range” and “pasture-fed” and eggs that are marked as “cage-free.” These words should be treated as Scripture. Let’s put it this way, most animals on conventional farms are fed grain, usually consisting of genetically modified-soy. This soy contains pesticides and herbicides that are stored in the animals’ fat as toxins. This, and the fact that they are kept in confined spaces (making exercise & movement, both of which are key to good health, impossible) causes them to become ill.

As the illness spreads quickly from animal to animal, antibiotics (more toxins!) are used to treat them. On top of all of this, cows are given growth hormones, a few of which are not naturally occurring, but synthetic (man-made chemicals).

So, the animals are fed a diet lacking in vital nutrients, have limited movement, are treated with antibiotics, and pumped up full of hormones. What, that McDonald’s Double Quarter-Pounder with Cheese just isn’t getting the salivary glands going like it used to? I’m not sure a bun-covered-mystery-meat, sunny-side-up eggs with yolks running with who-knows-what, or a tall glass of ice-cold hormone-infused milk actually do my body good.

Translation: by eating this meat, dairy and eggs you are essentially ingesting all of the hormones and the wide array of other mystery business that the animals were fed. All of these hormones, pesticides and other chemicals affect our own digestion and health. They speed up the aging process,and this has been reported to be the main culprit behind the earlier onset of puberty in children. The whole idea of this just does not sound natural — kind of like the peculiar hormones (zeronol and trenbolone acetate) that are being pumped into our oh-so-important dietary staples: meat and dairy.

Just ask any child you see what a cow should be eating, and they will tell you: grass.

Elementary, my dear, elementary.

In contrast, purchasing these foods from local farmers and local stores with those holy words on their packaging (“free range”) means you are in the clear. So hit up the local farmers market (Downtown Toledo’s is located at the Erie Street Market, and is year-round) for some cage-free eggs from a local farm to use in this holiday season’s baking.

If we create awareness about such an important topic, maybe here in the Glass City it won’t be a strange occurrence to see a farmer delivering fresh eggs and pork right to the front door of our locally owned eateries.

Monica Mikolajczyk is a yoga instructor, firm believer in always choosing local, and a holistic health advocate who believes we all have the potential to grow and change if we simply allow ourselves the space to do so. E-mail her at star@toledofreepress.com.